When Conan Gray dropped the opening track of his fourth album, Wishbone, in January 2025, fans didn’t just press play—they held their breath. The first notes of Actor weren’t just a song; they were a homecoming. After the glossy, synth-heavy detour of 2023’s Found Heaven, which many called polished but hollow, Gray returned to what made him a voice for a generation: raw, guitar-driven confessionals that sound like diary entries set to strings. The album, executive produced by Dan Nigro, who also guided his 2022 breakthrough Superache, doesn’t just reclaim his sound—it deepens it.
A Return to the Heart
Here’s the thing: Found Heaven wasn’t a failure. It had hits. It had glitter. But it didn’t hurt. And that’s what Gray’s fans—many of whom grew up with his lyrics about loneliness, unspoken trauma, and quiet heartbreak—needed most. Wishbone delivers that pain, beautifully. The opening track, Actor, lays it bare: “You spent the summer drinking whilst I spent it being erased.” No metaphor. No masking. Just a voice cracking under the weight of being forgotten by someone you loved. Christopher Tang of TrueStyleMusic.com called it “a gentle wave of sweet guitar strums and vocals,” but that undersells it. It’s a gut punch wrapped in velvet.
The Tracklist as a Story
Wishbone isn’t just an album—it’s a novella. UD Review nailed it: the 12 tracks trace a single relationship from first glance to final goodbye. This Song, the second track, drew mixed reactions. Stanford Daily called its lyrics “bland”—“I wrote this song about you / Something I wish you knew”—but Baylor Lariat countered that its dreamy, waltz-like rhythm made it feel like floating. That tension? That’s Gray. He’s not trying to please everyone. He’s trying to be honest.
Caramel, the final single, is the album’s party track—literally. With dramatic strings and a chorus built for stadiums, it’s about missing the warmth of a past love, not the person. You can imagine crowds swaying, phones lit up, singing along to lines about “caramel skin and stolen kisses.” And then there’s Vodka Cranberry. That’s the one where Gray hits a G5 note in the bridge. Not just high—transcendental. Tastemakers Magazine said it was “nothing short of transcendental,” comparing it to his E5 in Alley Rose. That’s not just vocal prowess. That’s emotional release.
Trauma, Tenderness, and the Class Clown
Gray’s lyrics have always been his superpower. In Class Clown, he whispers through minor-key melodies that echo Superache’s Family Line. “Everything comes back around, I still feel like the class clown,” he sings. It’s not funny. It’s devastating. Tastemakers Magazine interpreted this as Gray confronting how childhood emotional manipulation shaped his adult relationships—how he learned to laugh to hide the ache.
Nauseous feels like a late-night cry with Lizzy McAlpine in the room. A piano, a choir that doesn’t cheer—it mourns. And Sunset Tower? That’s the moment he stops begging. “Just because I’m working on myself,” he sings, “doesn’t mean I’m eligible to get back with you.” It’s not revenge. It’s self-respect. And it lands harder than any scream.
The Final Note
The album closes with Care. No drums. Just orchestral swells, layered vocals, and Gray belting the word “care” over and over—each time, more broken, more beautiful. Adrenaline Magazine called it “bittersweet,” but that’s too neat. It’s the sound of someone learning to love from afar without losing themselves. The final note lingers. You don’t want it to end.
Even Eleven Eleven, the 11th track and the only one to name-drop the album’s title, works because it’s not trying to be profound. It’s just there: “Wishbones are uneven,” Gray sings. “So are us.” Simple. True. Perfect.
Why This Matters
Pop music doesn’t need to be revolutionary to be vital. Sometimes, it just needs to be real. After Found Heaven’s polarizing reception, Gray could’ve doubled down on the synths, chased TikTok trends, or made a safe comeback. Instead, he made Wishbone—an album that doesn’t just sound like his old self, but like his truest self. Stanford Daily declared it “proof Conan Gray is back at his best.” And they’re right.
He’s not trying to be the biggest pop star anymore. He’s trying to be the one who makes you feel less alone. And in 2025, that’s the most radical thing a musician can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does 'Wishbone' compare to Conan Gray's previous albums?
Wishbone marks a deliberate return to the intimate, guitar-driven pop of Superache (2022), which critics called his peak. Unlike the synth-heavy, 80s-inspired Found Heaven (2023), Wishbone leans into acoustic textures and raw vocal delivery, with lyrics that dissect childhood trauma and emotional neglect. Reviewers at Stanford Daily and Tastemakers Magazine noted its lyrical depth surpasses even Superache, particularly in its unflinching honesty about self-worth.
Who is Dan Nigro, and why is his role important?
Dan Nigro is the executive producer of Wishbone and a longtime collaborator of Conan Gray, having also produced Superache. Known for his work with Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde, Nigro specializes in crafting emotionally resonant pop with organic instrumentation. His return on Wishbone signaled to fans and critics alike that Gray was reclaiming his artistic identity. The album’s cohesion—its seamless blend of piano, strings, and whispered vocals—is largely credited to Nigro’s production restraint and intuitive understanding of Gray’s voice.
What makes 'Vodka Cranberry' stand out vocally?
Vodka Cranberry features a bridge where Gray hits a G5 note—a rare, soaring high note that few pop singers sustain with emotional clarity. Tastemakers Magazine compared it to his E5 in Alley Rose, but noted this moment felt more earned, more desperate. The note doesn’t just show range; it embodies the song’s theme: reaching for clarity after years of self-doubt. Live performances of the track have left audiences in stunned silence before erupting into applause.
Is 'Wishbone' meant to be listened to as a full album?
Absolutely. UD Review and TrueStyleMusic.com both emphasize that the 12 tracks form a linear narrative of a relationship—from first meeting to final goodbye. Songs like Actor, Caramel, and Care act as chapters, with recurring motifs like the wishbone symbolizing imbalance in love. Listening to it track-by-track on shuffle misses the emotional arc Gray and Nigro meticulously constructed.
How has the public reacted to 'Wishbone' compared to 'Found Heaven'?
While Found Heaven debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, its streaming numbers dropped sharply after the first month. Wishbone, released in January 2025, has maintained steady streams for over six months, with Actor and Care each surpassing 100 million Spotify plays. Critically, Wishbone holds a 92% critics’ score on Metacritic, compared to Found Heaven’s 68%. Fan forums and Reddit threads are flooded with testimonials about how the album helped them process past breakups—something Found Heaven rarely inspired.
What’s next for Conan Gray after 'Wishbone'?
Gray has hinted at a 2026 tour focused on Wishbone, with plans to perform the entire album in sequence. He’s also mentioned working on a short film to accompany the album’s narrative, potentially expanding the story beyond music. With this album, he’s cemented himself not just as a pop star, but as a storyteller in the tradition of Tori Amos or Phoebe Bridgers—someone whose vulnerability becomes a blueprint for others. The industry is watching closely: if he continues this path, he may redefine what emotional pop can achieve.